Gordon Leslie Patten's Obituary
Gordon L Patten, 90, a prominent Tulsa attorney, passed away peacefully after succumbing to cancer.Mr. Patten was born July 22, 1926 in Miami, Oklahoma. He graduated from Central High School in Tulsa in 1944. Patten enlisted in the Marines immediately after graduating and reported to boot camp at Paris Island, SC. He served as a gunner aboard the battleship USS Iowa during WWII in the South Pacific. Following his service, he graduated from law school at the University of Tulsa. He went on to build a successful career as an attorney. He retired from his law practice at the age of 87.He married Patricia Mae Harrison in 1946. Together they raised four children: Jan Leslie Shackelford, twins, Jeffrey Brian Patten and Jennifer Beth Patten, and Julie Lynn Sullivan. In 1970, his wife passed away suddenly leaving Mr. Patten to raise four teenagers.He married Helen Wynette Baldwin in 1973. They were members of the Adkar Shriners, OU Sooner Club, and the Southern Hills United Methodist Church. Mr. Patten was also a member of the Marine Corp League and the All Veteran Assoc.A passionate man, Mr. Patten was proud of his service in the USMC, service in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, and of his hometown Tulsa. An avid Oklahoma Sooner fan, he enjoyed traveling to Norman for football games as a 40 year season ticket holder. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, his infectious laugh, and his zest for life!He is survived by his wife Helen Patten, his son, Jeff Patten (wife Barbara Patten) of Fort Worth, TX, daughter, Jennifer Patten of Nashville, TN, eight grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.Preceding him in death are his two daughters, Julie Lynn Sullivan of Oklahoma City, Ok, and Jan Leslie Shackelford of Skiatook, Ok.Funeral services will be Monday at 12:30 at Floral Haven in Broken Arrow. There will be a visitation preceding the funeral service from 10:00-12:00. A reception will follow in the Family Center, Floral Haven, 6500 S 129th E. Avenue, Broken Arrow, OK.
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